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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Confessions
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 27 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: La Face
Release Date: 23 March 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): R&B, Rap, Urban
Summary
Among the producers and guest vocalists appearing on Usher's fourth album are Ludacris, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Also By This Artist: 8701 Here I Stand
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
It finds [Usher] deftly segueing from loverboy to loverman, embracing harder-hitting sounds and subject matter without sacrificing his soulful sugar. [26 Mar 2004, p.72]
Village Voice
Confessions is a top-of-the-line pop-soul showcase that... manages to be commercially savvy without coming off as too desperate.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times
At 60 minutes, however, the album runs at least three songs too long, spoiling the tension and spirit with material that is plain gushy and, still, lame.
Read Full Review >The New York Times
Like lots of recent R & B albums, this one is heavily front-loaded. Usher's voice never fails him (there are a few falsetto runs that seem intended to put Mr. Timberlake in his place), but near the end, the songwriting does. [28 Mar 2004]
Read Full Review >Vibe
Though Confessions doesn't bring Usher all the way to the artistic maturity one might hope for, tracking this star's progression definitely has its satisfactions. [May 2004, p.160]
Q Magazine
Addictive R&B hooks and all-dancin', all-lovin' subject matter boosted with hot production tweaks. [Jun 2004, p.107]
E! Online
His pipes are in tip-top shape, sure, but hearing this stuff is sometimes more embarrassing than reading your little sister's diary.
Read Full Review >Blender
His songwriting isn't a strength, and his ballads often drown in their own inanity. [Apr 2004, p.132]
Dot Music
With lead single "Yeah!" being a genuine cyber funk masterpiece, and a lot of other perfectly respectable tunes backing it up, "Confessions" isn’t hard to like. But with the overall impression being of nice Usher making another nice album, it’s impossible to get excited about.
Read Full Review >Neumu.net
The music here tries to be as unobtrusive as possible, its plasticky tone and carefully shined finish constructed to contrast with the earnest soulfulness of Usher's singing. And it's in his words that the album finds the substance that it does have.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 27 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
mikey d gave it a10:
I think was the best R&B album of 2005!
Elle V gave it a10:
He's sooooooooooooooo hot!!!
tabby n gave it a9:
althoug this album falls into lame, weak and too clappy production bin that many r and b albums are used to, this is still a masterpiece for its stylish smoothness choruses at the hight of the genre that never fail to be remembered( and are the best bits of the album), astounding vocals that never hesitate to go all the way, allways pushing for perfection and making more of the 16 songs on this CD. Instramentally it blends melowballard like tones with danceflore rythms and electro funk bursts as found on yeah.Confessions succedes in being melodieously relaxing as well as funky and posseses a disturbingly smooth fell that only Usher has been able to achieve. It delivers many ballards and slow jams wich all contribute to the epic feel and some of the highlights are do it to me and can you handle it, both crammed with musical ideas and flourish,superstar,yeah,thats what its made for, bad girl, simple things and many more.In the end only truth hurts and whatever i want for below the standard.Best r and b record ever?
Emily S gave it a1:
Usher's songs are about the same things over and over again. He cannot sing and I find it apalling that he always has to take off his shirt. Guess what, Ush? I don't like seeing abs and I'm a young teenage girl! Try pop and rock instead of this boring R & B
nikki b gave it a 10:
Usher is as sexy and delicious as ever. If you have ever been in a relationship, you can relate to any song thats on this CD. From 1 to 10 he IS a certified 20!!!!
usher is madd hott gave it a 10:
OMG i luv this cd! it shows how sweet and sensative usher can be. it also shows that he has a playa side to him to but that makes him hott!! any girl would agree that he's hott. ain't i right?! this cd is the best usher cd so far!
andy b gave it a 4:
just another typical r & b album...and thats not saying a whole lot...too much gloss, contrived emotions, embarassing lyrics...yeah, people will love this. yeah, he has a great voice...just wish he would use it for something a tad more worthwhile...
